Rhode Island 501c3 Corporations: Tax Exempt Organizations Non Profit

Rhode Island Non Profit Incorporation

Incorporating your charitable organization in Rhode Island is the first legal step to getting your non profit organization recognized as a public charity as well as starting the process of applying IRS to qualify for the tax-exempt status.

Forming a Non Profit Organization in Rhode Island

Forming a non profit organization in Rhode Island will require choosing a name for the organization. The name you choose must be unique from any other registered Rhode Island business name on file and must end with "Corporation", "Incorporation", "Limited" or its abbreviation.

Articles of Incorporation

The next step is preparing and filing articles of incorporation. This document must include the name of the corporation, its purpose, name and address of the initial incorporator(s), name and address of the registered agent and a statement indicating whether the corporation will or will not have directors. The document must also include the specific language of the IRS in order to begin the process of qualifying for the tax-exempt status and its many benefits. Other formation procedures include:

• Create bylaws
• Appoint Board of Directors
• Hold first organizational meeting
• Publish a notice of intent to incorporate in the local newspaper and circulate the specified number of times

For more information

• Non profit overview
• Is a 501c3 right for you?